Lasting machine



April 26, 1949. L. G. MILLER 2,468,222

' LASTING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1947 Inventor Lloyd GNU/3r Patented Apr. 26, 1949 LASTING MACHINE Lloyd G. Miller, Beverly, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. 3., a corporation of New Jersey Application .lune 25, 1947, Serial No. 756,827

8 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for operating on shoe parts and is herein illustrated as embodied in a lasting machine of the type disclosed in acopending application Serial No. 593,981, filed on May 16, 1945, in the name of Corwin W. Baker. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited in its utility to lasting or in its application to a machine organization of the exact construction shown in the mentioned application.

The term lasting as it has been long understood in the trade, refers to the operation in which the stock is tensioned, to stretch it about the last; the lasting margin of the stock drawn, or otherwise worked inwardly from the edge of, and over, the bottom surface of a shoe-bottom part; and finally pressed firmly against the shoe-bottom part to which it is secured as, for example, by adhesive. More recently, the meaning of this term has been enlarged so as to include not only the operation just explained but also the similar procedure followed in tensioning the platform cover of a slip-in lasted shoe heightwise of the platform, laying the lasting margin of the cover inwardly from the edge of, and over, the bottom surface of the platform, and finally pressin the lasting margin firmly against the platform to secure it adhesively in lasted position thereto.

"In prior machines for performing this lasting operation, progressively along the entire, or a portion of the periphery of the shoe bottom, the step of pressing the lasting margin of the stock against the shoe-bottom part is usually performed by means of a SO-CELHBd wiper, which may take the form of a reciprocating blade, an endless belt, or a rotary tool arranged to engage the lasting margin, immediately after the margin leaves the tensioning instrumentalities, and to press it firmly against the shoe-bottom part. In some of the prior machines, the wiper also functions to Work the lasting margin inwardly from the edge of, and over, the shoe-bottom part while in others this overdrawing action is performed by the tensionin instrumentalities. In either case, where the bottom of the-shoe is curved in a heightwise direction, it is frequently difficult to maintain a proper operative relation between successive portions of the bottom of the shoe and the tensioning instrumentalities and wiper as the operation progresses along the periphery of the shoe bottom. This is especially true where a predetermined operative relationship between the shoe bottom and the tensioning instrumentalities. isessential to the obtaining of the most satisfactory results.

With a view of overcoming such difficulties, it has been proposed to support the wiper yieldingly, so that it may fioat in a direction heightwise of the shoe and thus follow the curved shoe bottom without disturbing the desired operative relationship between the shoe bottom and the tensioning instrumentalities. However, such arrangements. are likely to involve somewhat complicated mechanisms and are not wholly satisfactory. Furthermore, inasmuch as these prior types of wipers apply pressure by direct engagement with the stock, the resulting frictionalresistance, which may be of considerable magnitude, opposes movement of the shoe, relative to the wiper, a direction for transferring the point of operation alon the edge of the shoe bottom.

opposition to the feeding of the shoe is undesirable for two reasons. First, it increases the effort required of the operator, where the feeding is effected manually, and secondly, where the feed is producedby the tensioning instrumentalities of the machine, undue stress may be applied to the stock, in a direction extending lengthwise of the shoe, which may result in distortion or displacement of the stock on the side of the last or on the edge of the platform.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a novel means for applying pressure to the margin of stock for pressing it against another shoe part which is capable of operating with equal efficiency on all types of work, whether curved or flat, and which oifers no resistance to movement of the work in a direction of feed. To this end, the invention contemplates the provision of means for directing a blast of compressed air against. the margin of stock to press it firmly and smoothly onto another shoe part. More particularly, the novel pressing means comprises a nozzle for directing a blast of compressed air against the lasting margin of stock immediately after it has been tensioned and drawn inwardly over the bottom of a shoe by the tensioning means of a lasting machine. Preferably, the novel pressing means is associated with tensioning instrumentalitiesthat are adapted to eirect feeding of the work herein illustrated as a driven roll and a cooperating pressure member. However, as will be apparent, the pressing means of this invention may be used, with equal efficacy, in a machine organization where a manual feeding of the work is required.

The above and other objects and features of the-invention will appear in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and will be pointed out in the claims. In the drawings, H Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a portion of a lasting machine of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned application and provided with novel pressure-applying means in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a. plan view of the operating elements only of the machine shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating a portion of a shoe being lasted;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of the novel pressure-applying means and with the shoe being lasted shown in section; and

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the novel pressure-applying means with certain parts broken away to show the interior thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the lasting machine therein illustrated. is, with the exception of the pressure-applying means, indicated generally by the reference character it, exactly like the machine disclosed in the aforementioned application to which reference may be made for details of construction not herein shown or described. For convenience, corresponding parts of the machine are here identified with the same reference characters as were used in the prior application. Thus, the machine illustrated in the drawings has also a friction roll IQ, for tensioning and overdrawing the stock, the lasting margin of which is yieldingly pressed against the operating face of the roll at two locations spaced circumferentially thereof by means of a pressure member, or sleeve, comprising a body portion l2 and a hinged part M, an edge gage roll it and a shoe bottom rest 20. These elements of the machine are mounted on a frame 54 which is supported on a column 55 of suitable height.

As in the machine of the prior application, the friction roll I is carried by a power-driven shaft 30 that is rotatably mounted in a bearing block 32 which is adjustable, relatively to a slide at, so as to vary the inclination of the roll with respect to a horizontal plane passin through the bottom of the roll, see Fig. 1. Likewise, the body portion l2 of the pressure member, or sleeve, is secured, by means of a screw M0 to an arm H2 which is pivotally mounted on the bearing block 32, while the hinged part M is pivotally mounted on the body portion by means of a pin it!!! and urged yieldingly toward the roll by a compression spring I22, see Fig. 2.

The shoe-bottom rest 2!! is secured to the bear ing block 32 by means of a screw 242. The edge guide roll it is carried by a second slide 2&8, and this slide, together with the previously mentioned slide 44, which carries the roll it, is associated with a cam plate 52 to which a treadle, not shown, is connected by means of a treadle rod I50. The arm H2 is connected to the frame 54 through a yieldable connection, including a rod I39, and the arrangement is such that when the treadle, not shown, is released, the various parts assume the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the parts are in this position, the lasting margin of the stock, herein illustrated as the cover C of a slip-lasted shoe including an upper U assembled on a last L with a platform P, is yieldingly pressed against the roll by the body portion l2 and hinged part M of the pressure member, or sleeve. When the treadle is released, the rod I50 and cam plate 52 are elevated, by a spring, not shown, and cam slots, provided in the plate 62, are so arranged that the pressure member is moved rearwardly and away from the roll l0 while the edge gage roll i8 is simultaneously withdrawn from its operating position, shown in Fig. 2.

Referring now to the pressure-applying means with which this invention is primarily concerned, this means comprises a generally rectangular body portion 3E6 which is hollowed out to provide a recess 3&8. At the lower end of the body portion, this recess is shallowed as indicated at 3l9. A cover plate 3% is secured to the body portion 3H5 by means of screws 322, 322 so that the recess tit provides a hollow space which extends through the shallow portion 3|9 as a narrow slot 32%. A conduit 325, connected to a suitable source of compressed air, not shown, is secured to the block and communicates with the recess 3l8 through a bore 3.

The body portion (N6 of the pressure-applying means is provided with a threaded stud 328 which passes through a hole 329 in a, block 202 and a nut 33% is provided for clamping the body portion against this block. The block 202 is secured to a depending portion we of the frame 54 by means of a screw 2% which passes through a slot 33H in the depending portion I80. By loosening the screw 2%, the body portion 3N5 may be adjusted in a vertical direction, relatively to the work, while, by loosening the nut 330, the angular position of the body portion SIS, and hence of the slot 32%, with respect to the work, may be Varied. Also, as in the machine of the prior application, the slide at is adjustable laterally, toward and away from the depending portion I80, while the latter is rotatably adjustable, about a vertical axis. Hence, the slot 324 may be positioned in any desired location relative to the roll and sleeve as well as to the work.

In Fig, 1, the shoe is shown in phantom lines, while in Figs. 2 and 3, the shoe is illustrated in full, to show the mode of operation of the machine which is as follows. As has already been explained, when the treadle, not shown, is depressed, the parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 2 with the lasting margin of the cover C yieldingly pressed against the roll Ill. The shoe is supported in the hands of the operator who holds the bottom face of the platform P up against the shoe-bottom rest 2!! and the edge of the shoe against the edge gage roll 18. The rotating roll ill exerts a strong frictional drag on the lasting margin of the cover C, and this frictional drag, because of the inclination of the roll and the fact that the lasting margin is pressed against the roll at two circumferentially spaced points, has a component of stress tending to tension the cover C in a direction heightwise of the platform P, a component of stress tending to draw the lasting margin of the cover inwardly from the edge of, and over, the bottom face of the platform P, and a component of stress tending to feed the shoe.

As the cover is thus tensioned and overdrawn, and the shoe fed along, the operator supports the shoe and keeps that portion of the bottom of the platform adjacent to the roll and sleeve in a substantially horizontal position. The concentrated blast of compressed air which is discharged through the slot 324 impinges directly on the lasting margin of the cover C just after the cover has been tensioned and its lasting margin drawn in over the bottom of the platform. P. The force of this air blast presses the lasting margin firmly and smoothly against the platform and causes secure adherence of the lasting margin to the platform, it being understood that a suitable adhesive has been previously applied to one or both S of these members. Thus, regardless of the shape of the bottom of the shoe, a substantially uniform pressure is applied to the lasting margin of the tensioned cover as the operation proceeds along the bottom of the shoe. However, inasmuch as this pressure is derived from a blast of compressed air, no resistance to the feeding movement of the shoe is encountered. Furthermore, it is not difiicult for the operator to maintain a proper operative relation between the bottom of the shoe and the tensioning instrumentalities, i. e., the roll and sleeve, because the blast of air is efiective for a considerable distance beyond the slot 326. Accordingly, the operator need only to keep that portion of the shoe bottom which is adjacent to the bottom of the shoe horizontal, while permitting the portion which is adjacent to the pressure-applying means to assume whatever position it will, due to the curvature of the shoe bottom.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for operating on shoe parts, the combination with means operative to draw the margin of a strip, assembled with a piece of sheet material, inwardly from the edge of, and over, a surface of said sheet material, of means located adjacent to said indrawing means for directing a blast of compressed air against said margin in a direction for pressing it firmly and smoothly down onto the surface of said material.

2. In a. machine for operating on shoe parts, the combination with rotary means operative to draw the margin of a strip, assembled with a piece of sheet material, inwardly from the edge of, and over the surface of said sheet material, of means located adjacent to said indrawing means for directing a blast of compressed air against said margin in a direction for pressing it firmly and smoothly down onto the surface of said sheet material.

3. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for tensioning stock to be lasted successively, in different locations along the edge of the bottom of a shoe, and for drawing the lasting margin of the tensioned stock inwardly from the edge of, and over, the bottom of the shoe, in each location, of means located adjacent to said tensioning and overdrawing means for directing a blast of compressed air against the overdrawn lasting margin in a direction for pressing it firmly and smoothly down onto the shoe bottom.

4. In a lasting machine, the combination with rotary means for tensioning stock to be lasted, successively in different locations along the edge of the bottom of a shoe and for drawing the lasting margin of the tensioned stock inwardly from the edge of, and over, the bottom of the shoe, in each location, of means located adjacent to said tensioning and overdrawing means for directing a blast of compressed air against the overdrawn 6 lasting margin in a direction for pressing it firmly and smoothly down onto the shoe bottom.

5. In a lasting machine, the combination with means operative to effect tensioning of the stock to be lasted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom of a shoe and to draw the lasting margin of the stock inwardly from the edge of the shoe and over the bottom of the shoe, of means located adjacent to said tensioning and overdrawing means for directing a blast of compressed air against the overdrawn lasting margin in a direction for pressing it firmly and smoothly down into lasted position on the shoe bottom.

6. In a. lasting machine, the combination with means operative to effect continuous and progressive tensioning of the stock to be lasted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the shoe and to draw the lasting margin of the stock inwardly from the edge of the shoe and over the bottom of the shoe, of means located adjacent to said tensioning and overdrawing means for directing a blast of compressed air against the overdrawn lasting margin in a direction for pressing it firmly and smoothly down into lasted position on the shoe bottom.

7. In a lasting machine, the combination with means operative to efiect continuous and progressive tensioning of the stock to be lasted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom of a shoe, to draw the lasting margin of the stock inwardly from the edge of the shoe and over the bottom of the shoe and to feed the shoe, of means located adjacent to said tensioning and overdrawing means for directing a blast of compressed air against the overdrawn lasting margin in a direction for pressing it firmly and smoothly down into lasted position on the shoe bottom.

8. In a lasting machine, the combination with a driven roll and cooperating pressure member for engaging opposite sides of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted and so constructed and arranged as to apply lasting stress to said lasting margin for continuously and progressively tensioning the stock, for drawing the lasting margin inwardly from the edge of the shoe and over the bottom of the shoe and for feeding the shoe, of means located adjacent to said tensioning and overdrawing means for directing a blast of compressed air against the overdrawn lasting margin in a direction for pressing it firmly and smoothly down into lasted position on the shoe bottom.

LLOYD G. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Carr Oct. 21, 1947 Number 

